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Winter Preparedness Tips

Winter storms are considered "deceptive killers" because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Seventy percent of fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and approximately twenty-five percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off-guard in the storm. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Powerful winter storms can also have thunderstorms associated with them. These storms can dump as much as three inches of snow or one inch of ice in an hour.  So how can you prepare for winter weather?

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a winter storm hazard:

Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines..

Sleet: Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.
 

Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

Blizzard Warning: Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer. 

Frost/Freeze Warning: Below freezing temperatures are expected.

Winter Safety Tips:

• Monitor radio/TV or NOAA Weather Radio.


• Stay inside. Long exposure to cold increases the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.


• If you must go out, dress in layers.


• Avoid overexertion. The strain from the cold may cause a heart attack and sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.


• Keep your gas tank at least half full.


• Drive with caution and carry a disaster supplies kit in your trunk.


• Have an alternative emergency heating source, such as a fireplace or wood stove. Use appropriate safeguards and have proper ventilation.


• Make sure your home is properly insulated.


• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers, cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture, let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing, and know how to shut off water valves.

Source: www.fema.gov

Metro Atlanta Events for January 2014

January 9th: Jeff Dunham: Disorderly Conduct Tour at Phillips Arena in Atlanta

January 11th: Monster Jam at Georgia Dome in Atlanta

January 24th & 26th: Atlanta Camping and RV Show at Atlanta Exposition Center in Duluth

January 28th & 29th: Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus: Super Circus Heroes at the Columbus Civic Center

January 30th: The Zac Brown Band at the Columbus Civic Center

Frozen Pipes: Prevention and Thawing

The cold temperatures of winter bring with them the chilly fun of snowmen and sledding, but they also bring the danger of frozen pipes. When it's cold outside, it's important to take preventative measures to keep your pipes from freezing. And, if they've frozen already, you need to get them thawed quickly, before they burst and ruin your wintry fun!

Especially if you have outside pipes, plumbing located in external walls, or pipes in unheated spaces, you need to be extra careful. Several simple steps can help prevent frozen pipes.

First, if you have vulnerable plumbing, just leave the faucet dripping at a slight trickle. The moving water won't be able to freeze solid, negating the danger of burst pipes. The second basic precaution is simply to keep your pipes warm. This can be achieved in many different ways, from installing a portable heater near problem pipes or in unheated areas like crawlspaces to wrapping pipes in insulation.

Once you've put precautions in place, be sure to routinely inspect your plumbing. A frozen pipe is obvious if no water comes out of the faucet, but they can also be detected visually. Pipes with frost on the outside, those covered in ice, and ones that are bulging or appear to have small fissures are frozen. Once the plumbing begins to bulge, it is critical that the pipe be defrosted immediately, as bursting is imminent.

Things get trickier once a pipe is frozen. Frozen pipes must be thawed as soon as they are discovered. Waiting only increases the likelihood of a cracked pipe and the ensuing flood. Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe. While this technique has been used in the past, it is extremely dangerous. You are far more likely to start a house fire than defrost your pipes. There are several safe do-it-yourself techniques, including infrared heat lamps and specialized electric heat tape that you wrap around the pipe. However, if you don't have these specialized tools on hand, your best bet is to contact a professional.

It's best to avoid frozen pipes by taking precautionary measures, but if you do end up with iced up plumbing, it doesn't have to be a disaster. Whether you choose the DIY method or a plumber with pipe thawing expertise, your pipes can be safely defrosted so you can enjoy the rest of the winter.

Do You Know What to Do In a House Fire?

Make sure to test the door to see if it’s hot. If the door is open and preventing you from exiting the room, close it immediately and find an alternative exit.

If there is a lot of smoke and it’s banked up towards the ceiling area, stay lower to the ground. Most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases. Protect yourself from smoke inhalation with a T-shirt or rag. Smoke inhalation causes people to become disoriented.

If you have a two-story home, have an escape ladder that you can throw out in case of a fire.

Good Job Fantastic Four!

"Douglas, Daniel, Paul and Ruben were all very polite, pleasant, professional and thorough and were very comforting to us in this stressful situation. Thank you for sending such nice, knowledgeable men."

- A Happy Water Damage Client in Smyrna, GA

Safety and Seasonal Tips

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TV Tip-overs: An Emerging Danger

CHAMPION ANNOUNCES 2014 CEC DATES

2014 CEC DATES:

Property and Casualty Insurance Agents Only

These classes are by invitation only. If you know someone who might be
interested, please have them email summer@championcsi.com to make arrangements.

_________________________________________________________

Tuesday, February 11, 2014:
15 Hour CE Course
at Champion Construction Systems
3010 Poplar Road
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30: 15 Hour CE Course & Exam
12:30 p.m. Lunch Provided By Champion

_____________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, February 25, 2014:
15 Hour CE Course
at Carrabbas Italian Grill
2030 Sugarloaf Circle
Duluth, GA 30097

SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30: 15 Hour CE Course & Exam
12:30 p.m. Lunch Provided By Champion

_____________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, September 16, 2014:
15 Hour CE Course
at Champion Construction Systems
3010 Poplar Road
Sharpsburg, GA 30277

SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30: 15 Hour CE Course & Exam
12:30 p.m. Lunch Provided By Champion

_____________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, September 23, 2014:
15 Hour CE Course
at Carrabbas Italian Grill
2030 Sugarloaf Circle
Duluth, GA 30097

SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30: 15 Hour CE Course & Exam
12:30 p.m. Lunch Provided By Champion

_____________________________________________________________________

COURSE INFORMATION:
Course materials will be emailed to you prior to the class. On the day of the class, course materials will be reviewed followed by a short exam.

Are You Prepared for Winter Weather?

Check out this great article from READY GA about preparing for winter weather. Click on the article to read more.